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She’s been framed for murder

Only her ex-lover can save her

As a secret FBI asset, lawyer Christina Ortiz put her life on the line to bring down a dangerous cartel. But now her cover is blown, her handler is dead, and she’s wanted for murder. When fate brings her back to US Marshal Jackson Powell, Christina’s heart breaks. An act of betrayal tore them apart years ago, and Jackson doesn’t believe in her innocence now. Until the cartel tries to eliminate them both, sending them on the run for their lives. Will their race to stop a ruthless assassin finally repair the wounds of the past—and clear Christina’s name?

From Harlequin  Seek thrills. Solve crimes. Justice served.

Discover more action-packed stories in the  Ironside Protection Services  series. All books are stand-alone with uplifting endings but were published in the following

 Book 1: Big Sky Slayer
Book 2: Big Sky Safe House
Book 3: Big Sky Showdown
Book 4: Big Sky Manhunt

224 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published April 28, 2026

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About the author

Juno Rushdan

156 books1,571 followers
Juno Rushdan is a veteran US Air Force intelligence officer and the award-winning author of romantic thrillers. Her books are action-packed, nail-biting page-turners with twists you won’t see coming. Critics from Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, BookPage and Library Journal have called her work “heart-pounding James Bond-ian adventure”, “fast-paced”, “gripping”, “a thrill ride” that “will captivate lovers of romantic thrillers.” She is married to her own military hero and is privileged to have two rambunctious kids and a spoiled rescue dog. For a FREE book from Juno: http://bit.ly/JunoFREE. Be sure to follow her on BookBub for the latest on sales: bit.ly/BookBubJuno.

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5 stars
60 (76%)
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14 (17%)
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4 (5%)
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
Profile Image for Madison Warner Fairbanks.
3,807 reviews526 followers
April 29, 2026
Big Sky Manhunt by Juno Rushdan
Ironside Protection Services series #4. Harlequin Intrigue category, romantic suspense. Spin-off from Cowboy State Lawmen series.
At 22, Christina Ortiz became an undercover secret FBI asset in a cartel. Under her own name. Her handler set her up with a killer, knowing all the man’s previous girlfriends were dead. Using her own name, the cartel knows she cannot leave or they would kill her entire family, which has now happened. Her handler is dead. A joint task force from multiple agencies don’t believe she was an agent, much less giving them information they can use. U.S. Marshall Jackson Powell doesn’t believe her. He knew her when they were younger. It doesn’t help. Not until Christina and Jackson are on the run after

They don’t trust each other but so dearly want to.
Jackson knows he didn’t treat her respectfully when they were together as teens. He snuck her into his room and wasn’t willing to introduce her to his parents. It marked her and impacts them now as they try to anticipate what the cartel will do and what lengths they will go to.
The pull of an old love and renewal but without trust, is there anything to build on?

High speed, breathless action and danger. Non stop from beginning to end.
Smart, detailed, an emotional ledge twenty stories high, and a mysterious killer too close behind them.

An absolute favorite story writer. All the stars.
Profile Image for Anita.
2,798 reviews237 followers
May 21, 2026
This is the fourth, and possibly final, book in the Ironside Protection Services series. There should be a special trope just for Rushdan’s work—they fit the mystery, thriller, and suspense genres, but they’re so much more. The rich character development and action-packed plot keep me hooked from start to finish.

Christina Ortiz has spent six years undercover as an FBI asset in a very powerful and connected cartel, but when her cover is blown, and her handler murdered she is all alone with nowhere to turn and with most lethal cartel assassin looking for her. The only man she can trust to save her is U.S. Marshal Jackson Powell—her high school sweetheart. Even though that relationship ended badly, he is the only person she can trust to save her and finish the mission to destroy the cartel.

My thanks to the Publisher, and Author, for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.
Profile Image for Paula (in & out).
959 reviews12 followers
May 11, 2026
I Received advance copy from NetGalley for an honest opinion.

Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy this as much as I wanted to because MMC was just too unlikable for me and the chemistry was lacking.

They knew each other when they were teens and MMC treated her bad back then. In the present, he admits he didn’t treat the girl he loved back then right, but now he doesn’t trust that she didn’t murder his boss, the handler. It takes a good portion of the story for him to get on board and trust her which is why I needed more groveling from him.

Anyhoo, FMC is a secret undercover FBI informant working to bring down a cartel when her handler who is murdered right in front her manages to tell her to run and she is being framed of his murder. MMC is tasked to bring her to a secure facility but doesn’t believe her. However, as the bad dudes come after her, he finally sees the light – both about her being framed and to the fact that he was wrong about her (better late than never). So as they are running for their lives and she gets kidnapped & rescued and somehow, they fall back in love all within 3 days.

Even though the romance portion didn’t hook me in as much as I would have liked, the suspense here is top notch. There are clues who is behind the whole thing but I have to admit I never suspected them. Usually, I am able to do so which is why this is 3 stars for me.
Profile Image for Katie Mettner.
Author 129 books1,700 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
March 27, 2026
Big Sky Manhunt is an absolute knockout! From the first page, it’s fast-paced, emotionally gripping, and impossible to put down. I was hooked, and the tension never let up for the entire book.

The story throws you straight into the action as Christina Ortiz fights for her life against the cartel she’s been working to end for the last six years as an undercover FBI informant. (Not a spoiler.) Her handler tells her to get out and find the only person who can help her, who turns out to be her ex-high school boyfriend, U.S. Marshall Jackson Powell. From there, Juno Rushdan tosses you into the chaos as he’s tasked with transporting her to a secure facility, despite her argument that someone was out to kill her. Already accused of murdering the very agent she was working with, everything spirals, and what follows is a relentless, high-stakes chase as a ruthless hitman, Alvaro Aguilar, attacks and forces them on the run.

The story blends so much action with the deep emotional stakes that Jackson and Christina’s complicated past adds. Their chemistry is undeniable, but so is their distrust. Slowly, they rebuild that trust as Jackson realizes he’s got Christina all wrong. As they fell back in love over just three intense days, it felt authentic and honest, not the result of a trauma bond.

The action sequences are top-notch, whether they’re dodging danger, teaming up with Jackson’s allies at Ironside Protective Services, or raiding cartel depots. Every scene is packed with urgency and an eye to detail that Juno is so good at in her Intrigues. Just when you think it can’t get more intense, Christina is kidnapped, raising the stakes even higher and pushing Jackson to his limits. If Christina is gone, they can’t find the depots or clear their names.

What truly kept me turning pages, though, was trying to decide who the elusive head of the cartel was. Juno throws enough red herrings in to keep you guessing, and I didn’t know who to trust, so I trusted no one!
Juno Rushdan once again proves she’s a master of intrigues that will keep you riveted and guessing until the very end. Her talent for crafting compelling characters, high-octane plots, and emotional depth shines brightly in Big Sky Manhunt.
Profile Image for Tammy Lunsford - Escape to Books By Tammy.
2,347 reviews80 followers
April 28, 2026
This slick, rocket-paced mystery will keep you on your toes. As the characters race against time, which is definitely not on their side, to bring down a ruthless cartel while trying to stay alive as there is a target on their back. To make matters even worse, their pictures are plastered everywhere as wanted for murder. It seems there is nowhere safe and no one to trust.

Attorney Christina Ortiz was a deep undercover informant who wormed her way into a dangerous cartel. She ends up on the run for her life from a savage assassin whose callousness for taking a human life is bone chilling. This man is the stuff of nightmares. There were several scenes that were horrifying, but it made the mystery even more interesting.

US Marshal Jackson Powell does not know if he can trust Christina. At one point in his life he loved her, but she has been embedded deep into the cartel. She insists that she is an asset, but has no paperwork to prove it. The distrust is mutual because she knows there is a mole in the task force, but she has no idea who it is or how to bring this individual to light.

All of the books in the Ironside Protection Services are fantastic, but this one might be my favorite of the series thus far. It had high stakes danger and intrigue, but the biggest mystery was who was Rio, the head honcho of the cartel. An invisible man that no one has ever seen. The author will take you on a wild ride as you work toward the stunning conclusion. The two main characters also stole my heart with their back story.

You cannot go wrong with any of the books in this series, but this one holds first place for me.

Thank you to the author and Harlequin Books for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Susie (DFWSusie).
406 reviews15 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 5, 2026
A high-conflict, maximum intensity thrill ride for two former lovers caught in a battle against the past and the fight for their future.

———
Harlequin Intrigue (May 2026)
Genre/Subgenre: romantic suspense, category, romance, contemporary romance, romantic thriller

Standalone/Series: Book #4 four in the Ironside Protection Services series, easily read as a standalone, includes previous characters from this series and other Rushdan series

Themes/Tropes: undercover agents who've been burned, second chance romance, dangerous criminal organizations, women with extremely complex pasts and difficult circumstances to overcome, FBI, specialized security personnel

Steam/Spice Level: two scenes of intimacy, with a fade to black/closed door moment

Setting: around Montana & Wyoming

BIPOC Characters: yes, main characters

LGBTQ+ Characters: N/A
Religion: N/A

POV: third person, past tense, dual POV

Cops/LEO: yes, federal law enforcement and private security organizations, themes of corruption and betrayal throughout, doesn't fall into copaganda or apologist work for corruption

Character Ages: 30s

Does the Dog/Horse/Cat Die? N/A no animals
__________
Review based on Advanced Review Copy provided by Harlequin Publishing
Profile Image for Joyce M. H..
1,435 reviews19 followers
June 26, 2026
This is the 4th book in the “Ironside Protection Services.” If you’re looking for a murder mystery this is the book to read. There is action packed adventure, suspense, thriller, murder, cartel, mystery, mayhem, great characters, twists, turns, secrets and a plot that held me captive and turning page after page looking for answers. Christina is an undercover FBI agent in the cartel. When her handler agent Kirk is killed all the evidence points to Christina and her cover is blown. With no where to turn Christina turns to Marshall Jackson her ex high school sweetheart Jackson. Jackson is sent in to rescue Christina and he is the last person Christina thought would come to her rescue. This is an awesome suspenseful second chance at romance while on the run from a ruthless killer.

Can Jackson and Christina out run the killer, clear her name and get a second chance at the romance that they both so deserve?

I received an ARC via NetGalley and I am leaving my review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Jessica.
2,227 reviews50 followers
June 30, 2026
Christiana is a lawyer but also she's like an informant mole situation she's just a mixed bag of things and it appears that are cover is now blown. Then it's like a blast in the past when she runs into US Marshal Jackson Powell and is hoping for a bit of protection because she knows the cartel will stop at nothing. Meanwhile Jackson over here is to trust her especially with her kind of passed and their brief thing. They just got to figure out how to stop the people who are coming after her.

So there's so much going on with this book normally I don't read books that have cartels and stuff like that it's just not my thing I don't like books like that usually. But I somehow gotten a hold of this book and kind of blindly red and it was overall really good I really enjoyed it. There was just so much going on and between the lies and wondering who is the other and just questioning who to just trust was entertaining in itself. There are plenty of close calls and it was interesting to see how everything play out.
1,755 reviews26 followers
April 28, 2026
Christina Ortiz, a secret FBI asset, has been undercover in a cartel for the past 6 years. Her cover is blown and she’s suddenly on the run. She finds herself wanted for the murder of her handler and is being brought in by her former lover, US Marshal Jackson Powell. Christina tries to get Jackson to believe her but he doesn’t trust her. As she’s being taken in, their convoy is attacked by a ruthless hitman. Jackson ends up on the run with her, both fighting for their lives. The more Jackson learns, the more he starts to believe Christina. Many secrets are revealed. As the two spend more time together, old feelings resurface. If they make it out alive, will they get their second chance at love?

An edge-of-your seat thriller! Juno Rushdan is a new-to-me author, and I will definitely be reading more of her books.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Joanne Dunn.
225 reviews1 follower
April 28, 2026
Action packed from start to finish!

Welcome to Big Sky Manhunt, book 4 in the Ironside Protection Services Series. From the opening edge of your seat opening scene where you meet Christina Ortiz an off-the-books FBI asset who has been undercover in a cartel for 6 years, continues to put her life on the line to bring them down. However, under suspicion of the murder of her FBI handler, things get even more hairy when she is being transported to another location and the Reaper, the cartel hitman intercepts the convoy on the way to the airport, sending Christina and her childhood sweetheart and US Marshall Jackson Powell on the run. Together with the help of the Ironside Protection team they work to finish what she started, to bring down the cartel for good.

This is a fast paced, engaging, quick read, with a happy ending.
3,224 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 24, 2026
Christina Ortiz was raised in a motorcycle gang so she’s no stranger to the seedy scene. Now she is a FBI asset and is undercover in a cartel. She is wanted for murder after her handler is killed. Jackson Powell loved her as a teenager but let his family tear them apart. Jackson is an US Marshal and is sent to locate Christina and bring her in. They end up on the run when an assassin comes for her. It takes a lot of convincing for Jackson to believe Christina and that she wasn’t part of the cartel. Can they clear Christina’s name and Jackson’s by association before the assassin catches up to them?

A edge of your seat story. Steamy. Second chances. Secrets. Lies. Great story. Voluntarily read and reviewed for Netgalley.
115 reviews2 followers
April 28, 2026
I got an arc I really liked Big Sky Manhunt. Its a second chance, protector romance where the FMC Christina has been framed for murder after being undercover in a cartel for a number of years. Her ex Jackson has been tasked with taking her down for killing who was his boss. It's clear they have feelings for each other from out the fences, but they must work together to clear Christina's name, and he's not quite convinced that she didn't kill his boss. They've also got a complicated history involving both of their families. There's a lot of chemistry, they are meant to be but are now in a rush because someone is not only after Christina, but Jackson and he is not willing to stop. The action, and craziness is non stop, the chemistry is fire, and it's a wild story. Highly recommend.
213 reviews6 followers
April 30, 2026
ARC review. Big Sky Manhunt is the fourth and last book in Juno Rushdan’s Ironside Protection Services series. There ought to be a special trope just for Juno’s books. They do fit in the genres of mystery, thriller and suspense but they’re so much more. The details in the character development and action packed storyline make the difference in keeping you hooked on her books. Christina has been undercover as a FBI asset in the cartel for 6 years when her cover is blown and the only person who can save her is US Marshal Jackson Powell who was her high school sweetheart until the relationship ended badly. The pages are turned quickly as we read to see how it ends. Will they live and have a second chance at love or will the cartel win? It’s all in the details.
6,811 reviews28 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
April 24, 2026
Big Sky Manhunt is a gritty, high-tension romantic suspense that grabbed me from the very first page. The plot is fast-paced and cleverly written, featuring a dangerous cartel storyline where Christina is trying to bring them down and US Marshall Jackson Powell who is her ex lover ends up being the one to keep her safe. This is a storyline that keeps you guessing with its brilliant twists and red herrings.

I loved the dynamic between Christina and Jackson—their shared history added real emotional weight to the constant, heart-pounding escapes. If you're looking for an edgy, compelling page-turner with relatable characters and constant action, this is a must-read. Highly recommended!
4,517 reviews25 followers
April 28, 2026
You can always count on some twists and surprises in a Juno Rushdan book. Big Sky Manhunt (Ironside Protection Services Book 4) has one of the biggest for lawyer Christina Ortiz who has been working undercover for several years. When her cover is blown , the only person she can count on is the last one she could count on her ex, US Marshal Jackson Powell. Juno Rushdan has written an exciting suspenseful romance where Jackson needs the second chance to admit that he was wrong as Christina and he needed a second chance at love. The problem is that they may not get the chance to do so. Big Sky Manhunt is a thrilling addition to the series that fans of romance suspense will enjoy.
Profile Image for Jacqueline Johnston Cotton.
2,635 reviews43 followers
May 25, 2026
I love romantic suspense books and this one is fantastic! This is romantic suspense at its best! It's a fast paced, edge of your seat, danger, intrigue and some understandable, trust issues romance. You won't be able to put this one down. These characters are amazing, realistic and believeable. Your heart will race as Christina and Jackson try to out run the cartel. They draw you in right away and you feel like you are on the run along with them. It's wonderfully written with a clever plot and twists you aren't expecting. Well done! A great, entertaining read! I would definitely recommend this book and the whole series!
Profile Image for Emily C..
360 reviews13 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 3, 2026
Agent Kirk Kehoe is dead, and all the evidence points straight at Christina Ortiz - his own protégé!

While Christina is on the run, she is forced to team up with the last person she ever wanted to see again last - her ex-lover, Marshall Jackson Powell. Together, they have to stay one step ahead of a merciless killer who always seems to be ten steps ahead of them.

Juno Rushdan delivers another adrenaline-charged romantic suspense in BIG SKY MANHUNT, packed with nonstop tension, sharp twists, and an ending that absolutely blindsided you!
Profile Image for Valeri Sullivan (vsulvn29).
1,006 reviews15 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 16, 2026
‘A date with death.’

Undercover in the cartel for six years Christina’s biggest fear was being discovered. Until the day her handler is murdered right in front of her and his final words send her straight into the arms of the boy she’d loved as a teenager. Now she had to face the thought of him dying too as they’re pursued by an assassin while trying to take down El Jefe with the help of some old friends at Ironside Protectors Services. High octane, with a high body count and a couple that finally get their second chance. You can’t ask for more from a Juno Rushdan Harlequin Intrigue!
Profile Image for Lesley.
2,672 reviews20 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
April 20, 2026
Page Turner.
As an off the books civilian asset for 6 years, Christina’s time within the cartel is running out. With her cover blown, accused of murder, a cartel assassin on her tail and on the run with a former lover who distrusts her, things do not look promising. Along with at least two unknown moles, one on the task force and one high up, staying alive whilst clearing her name seems like an impossible task.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Viper Spaulding.
3,214 reviews27 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
April 20, 2026
Action, intrigue, and romance!

This book had me on the edge of my seat! A fight for survival from the very first scene, packed with non-stop action and surprise twists, a villain who is not what anyone expected, and it all takes place over one thrilling weekend! And at the center of it all is a second-chance romance, where Christina and Jackson try to determine if the love they shared as teens can be rekindled now as adults.

The tight timeline is highlighted by frequent timestamps, which only adds to the urgency felt by the characters as well as the reader. There's not a moment to spare as they run for their very lives, while trying to find the mastermind behind it all and the moles they have been relying on for intel. No one can be trusted, and even the most innocuous items become sources for betrayal.

This fast-paced thriller takes the reader on a wild ride through the backcountry of Montana. I loved every bit of it, and highly recommend it for anyone looking for contemporary romantic suspense.
Profile Image for Felice Foster.
898 reviews1 follower
May 2, 2026
This story is a banger!

Action and suspense from page one. The twist in the storyline I was totally wasn't expecting towards the middle. Chapter after chapter, it just kept getting better and better.

Although this is a fictional story, the characters felt real and flawed and messy.

Going back to the beginning of the series so I can read this one again :).
604 reviews2 followers
June 7, 2026
While I didn’t enjoy this book as much as the rest of the series, that was because I’m not a fan of books about people who are undercover in the cartels. The book is well written with twists to maintain interest. Jackson seems a bit more strait laced in this book than the brief introduction we had in other books.
Profile Image for Barbara Tobey.
3,206 reviews92 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
March 30, 2026
An exciting second-chance romance. Not really much time for romance in this action-packed story. High body count. Strong characters. Many tense moments. Some surprises. I am eager to read more by this author. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.
Profile Image for Toni.
2,276 reviews20 followers
April 29, 2026
This series keeps getting better and better! I always love Rushdan’s but this takes things to the next level. The relationship is a good balance to the suspense and kept me reading long past bedtime.
3,597 reviews14 followers
May 2, 2026
Tons of action and deceit but also a sense of community and forgiveness.
Profile Image for Vickie.
2,429 reviews81 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 15, 2026
The action in this romantic suspense novel is non-stop and so fast paced that it kept my head spinning. The story of Christina Ortiz who puts her life on the line to try to help take down a dangerous cartel is compelling, relevant and edgy. She ends up getting help from a former lover, US Marshall Jackson Powell, when she has to escape certain death and he is there at the scene to help her. The intense suspense starts at the very beginning of the book and continues throughout, from one escape and dangerous encounter to the next. The plot is a cleverly written page-turner and the characters are relatable and believable. With some brilliant twists thrown in as well as some unexpected red herrings, Big Sky Manhunt kept me guessing and intrigued. I was captivated by the courage of Christina, even in the face of dramatic suspense-filled scenes. This is a gritty and high-tension book with good chemistry between the characters and an engaging and complicated plot.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews